Surgical risk management: the value of a weekly surgical radio-pathological meeting

Clinical risk management in surgery involves organizational practices focused on the prevention of adverse outcomes. The present study evaluates the value of a weekly clinical meeting involving surgeons, radiologists and pathologists as a model of clinical risk management within a general surgical department.

Data for all meetings conducted over a 6-month period were prospectively collected. Changes to previously reported pathology and radiology results, revisions to patient diagnosis, management and recommendations for subsequent patient care arising from the meetings were recorded.

Data were collected for 18 meetings. One hundred and eleven patients were reviewed. Seventy-six patients had previously reported radiological investigations. Sixty-five patients had previously reported pathology specimens. Four per cent of radiology reports and 8% of pathology reports were amended at the meeting. Seven per cent of patients received a revised diagnosis. Twenty-seven per cent of patients had suggestions for changes in management. Changes to patient care arose from pathologist input in seven patients, from radiologist input in nine patients and from clinician input in 14 patients. Four patients were recommended for an alternative surgical procedure. Five patients were recommended for cancellation of a planned procedure. Adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy was considered for four patients. Referral to specialist surgeons was suggested for two patients.

Weekly multidisciplinary clinical meetings allow early revision and refinement of patient diagnosis and management. As such, they are an effective pre-emptive incident monitoring system, facilitating regular audit and quality control as part of an overall strategy for surgical clinical risk management.